Group Fitness To Combat Loneliness

You'd think that with social media and so many new ways of keeping in contact with each other we would all be feeling closer than ever. In fact, it is reported that Britons are currently feeling more isolated than ever.

According to theCampaign to End Loneliness, 51% of British people over the age of 75 live alone and two fifths of older people claim the television is their main source of company. But loneliness isn't just confined to older people. Any of us can feel isolated at times.

TheRed Crossreport that over nine million UK residents report that they feel isolated regularly. This can affect anyone: new mothers, recent divorcees, people who have moved to a new area or people who have simply fallen out of touch with their loved ones.

Feelings of isolation not only make us unhappy, they have negative affects on our health too. So what better way to combat loneliness than through group physical activity? Group classes of activities we enjoy can bring us together over a shared love of leading active lifestyles.

"At Wave we provide opportunities for people to come together, have new experiences and participate in positive activity which improves wellbeing; not just physical, but mental and emotional as well"said Liz Allsobrook, Wave Leisure's Community Engagement & Partnership Manager.

We offer a wide variety of classes that cover all levels of fitness, so no matter your experience level there is a class for you. What better way to make new friends than learning a new activity together in a safe and nurturing environment?

As an alternative, you could gather some friends you don't see often enough and all take part in a class together! When you're socialising and getting fit at the same time there is no downside.

Wave Leisure is launching Walking Foot ball groups to inspire "fun, friendship and fitness" among older people as well as other exercise classes specifically for seniors (a social group particularly disposed to loneliness and health problems). For example, Strength and Balance sessions is a group activity created to support fall prevention with light movement exercises.

But there are group classes for all age groups as well like Indoor Cycling, Yoga, Aqua Aerobics, Fitness Pilates and BODYPUMP classes. There is something for everyone.

Through out-reach work, Wave is also committed to decreasing isolation in Rural Communities within Sussex and is engaging with people who being active in Group Exercise would benefit most. Liz Allsobrook added "Wave's Community Engagement Team reach out into the community and deliver opportunities for people to come together, not just in leisure centres, but in village halls, community centres, residential settings and communal lounges. "Working with community transport providers, such as Community Transport for Lewes Area (CTLA), enables those who would otherwise not be able to attend an activity to participate."